Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“I don’t have to make the decision now,” I said, waving him off.
“Alice said it will only get harder to leave. She’s only known two Vampires who didn’t cement the bond with their mates, but neither of them had formed relationships before they were separated.”
“Alice is just full of information,” I grumbled.
“Luce, I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
“You’re both safer once the bond has been cemented,” Charlie huffed, glowering at me in exasperation. “Stop stalling. You know you’ll do it, eventually.”
“It’s very strange having your brother pushing you to have sex with someone.” I shot back. “You know that, right?”
“It doesn’t have anything to do with sex,” Charlie argued.
“Oh, I beg to differ.”
“You’re such a child.”
“And you’re a busybody,” I replied, getting to my feet. “When did that happen?”
“Go find your mate,” he grumbled, waving me off.
“Don’t leave without saying goodbye first, okay?”
“I’ll see you at dinner.”
“Promise.”
“I promise I won’t leave without saying goodbye,” he said, making a face. “Go.”
I wandered out of his room and down the stairs slowly, thinking about what he’d said. He’d made some good points. I was pretty convinced that Ambrose and I would complete the bond or cement the bond or whatever it was called—eventually. Even though rationally I thought it was too soon, I couldn’t ignore that down deep, I knew that I’d never want anything else. Even if I walked away, even if it was possible, I knew with absolute certainty that I’d never find another partner that came anywhere close to making me feel the way Ambrose did. I’d never find another smile more attractive. I’d never be drawn so strongly to someone else’s body. I’d never feel as comfortable as when he listened to me talk. I’d never find anyone else who understood my bond with Charlie and respected it.
He’d never once questioned when I was a mother hen. He’d never seemed exasperated or annoyed by the way I babied my older brother or made decisions based on how they would affect him. He just rolled with it, accepted it as fact, and made accommodations if needed.
If I’d found him on the street and built a relationship with him over time, I didn’t honestly believe that I’d ever have reason to question whether or not we fit.
We belonged together in a way I hadn’t anticipated.
As I crossed the empty living area and made my way up the stairs toward his room, I contemplated what Alice had told us. Once we’d completed the bond and become true mates, both of us would be immortal. Even if they weren’t sure when the immortality began, it was possible that it would happen immediately.
He could potentially be as safe as Charlie when he went to rescue Finau’s mate.
And I would never have to leave Charlie behind, another person for him to mourn forever.
By the time I opened the door to his rooms, my decision had been made.
I wasn’t sure what I’d been waiting for, really. I’d never been one to back away from something scary or unknown, but the past couple of months of keeping Charlie safe had made me infinitely more cautious of everyone and everything.
Ambrose wasn’t in the little living room or bedroom, but I could hear the shower running. I followed the sound into the bathroom and paused as I caught sight of my mate.
Mate.
Mate.
I’d never felt any kind of way about the word husband, but the word mate felt like it resonated through my bones.
Ambrose was rinsing his hair, his eyes closed and his head tipped back into the spray. He looked like a frigging shampoo commercial. I let my gaze travel down his body. Scratch that, he looked like a frigging porno.
“Are you going to get in or just watch?” he asked, his eyes still closed.
“How did you know I was here?”
“I heard you open the door,” he replied, tilting his head down to meet my stare.
The bedroom and bathroom doors had been left open. He’d heard when I’d come into the suite.
“I’m enjoying the view,” I replied, toeing off my socks.
“Is that right?” One of his hands dropped to his waist, and my mouth watered as he gave his erection a slow, firm tug.
“I mean, another shower couldn’t hurt,” I mumbled. I had gotten really sweaty after our fight.
Ambrose grinned. He watched intently as I stripped off my clothes, his hand still absentmindedly stroking his erection. God, he was incredible. I had a hard time looking away long enough to pull my shirt off. Every inch of his body was muscular and covered in a light dusting of hair a few shades darker than the hair on his head.
I stepped into the shower slowly and closed the few steps that separated us, my skin already tingling.
“Did you need me?” he asked, pulling me into the spray. His mouth immediately went to my shoulder, his tongue swirling over the skin before he let it go with a pop.